Li Ge watched their reactions and knew they had misunderstood something.
"Why are you all so anxious?"
"I never said I couldn't solve it. I just need to think carefully about how to do it!"
"The source of Jean's powers is anything but ordinary!"
Li Ge's explanation was like a beam of light instantly illuminating Phoenix's dark world, letting the X-Men breathe easier.
"Li Ge, aren't Jean's powers simply the mutant abilities she awakened herself?"
Apart from Phoenix herself, the professor knew the most about her powers. He had always thought she couldn't control them simply because they were too powerful.
But from what Li Ge was saying now, was there something else behind it?
"Professor, how much do you know about Jean's powers?"
Li Ge asked a question in return.
"Aren't those my powers?"
Phoenix finally couldn't help speaking up.
"Your powers?"
"No! You're merely its host!"
Li Ge had never minded telling the truth.
"Jean, that energy inside you is called the Phoenix Force."
"The Phoenix Force comes from the primordial universe. Born at the beginning of all things, it is a chaotic and immortal existence, eternal yet ever-changing, a child of the universe. It is the embodiment of life and psychic power in the primordial universe, symbolizing life and emotion.
"It is the nexus of the minds and spirits of all things that exist or will exist in the infinite multiverse, the creator and source of psychic power. It is the vessel and ruler of the life and emotional energy of all future generations throughout the infinite multiverse."
"And you are the host of one of the countless fragments scattered across the multiverse after the Phoenix Force shattered!"
Li Ge paused for breath, also giving them time to digest this information.
"Even the fragment inside Jean could easily destroy a planet if its power were fully unleashed!"
Before they could react, Li Ge added that remark.
Now even the professor didn't know what to say.
To think he had managed to keep something so powerful sealed inside Jean's mind all this time. He didn't know whether to count himself lucky.
The X-Men exchanged speechless looks.
"How do you know all this? How do I know whether you're telling the truth?"
Phoenix bit her lip, hoping Li Ge could give a different answer.
"Ah! You're asking how I know?"
"That's because I designed an ability for myself that scans all things and records information."
Li Ge honestly revealed yet another of his abilities.
This was both true and false.
The truth was that his ability had indeed scanned some information, though it wasn't that comprehensive. The falsehood, of course, was that this was information he had known all along.
Like Phoenix, everyone present had been waiting expectantly for Li Ge's answer. They hadn't expected him to casually reveal another ability.
They were momentarily speechless. Someone who could design abilities really could do whatever he pleased.
With that, however, they no longer had any doubts about Li Ge's explanation.
After all, mutants were existences that defied reason like that. They could awaken any sort of ability.
"Li Ge, since the Phoenix Force is so powerful, can you help Jean control it?"
Cyclops looked at Li Ge expectantly. If anyone had the most confidence in Li Ge now, it was undoubtedly him.
"Of course I can!"
"But I can't solve Jean's problem directly. I can only help her maximize her chances of controlling the Phoenix Force."
Li Ge's answer softened even Phoenix's tense expression, though her hands remained tightly clenched.
"Li Ge, I've kept the Phoenix Force inside Jean sealed for a long time. Could that be what caused her problems?"
The professor frowned, a trace of self-reproach on his face.
"Professor, you're right. A second personality has already emerged in Jean's mind, bearing all her pain and darkness."
"This second personality has far greater control over the Phoenix Force than Jean does, and her psychic power is also stronger than Jean's own. She's already close to breaking through your seal."
"That's also why I can't directly help Jean control the Phoenix Force."
"After all, the second personality is part of Jean too. We can't just destroy her, can we?"
After hearing Li Ge's explanation, the professor's brow furrowed so deeply it could have crushed a fly.
He was frustrated with himself for not discovering these problems sooner. Otherwise, Jean wouldn't have ended up developing a second personality.
He hadn't expected his seal to cause Jean so much trouble, and his gaze filled with deep remorse and apology as he looked at Phoenix.
Storm and the others couldn't help at all now. They could only stay quiet and avoid disturbing Li Ge's thoughts.
"No, Professor, I don't blame you. If it weren't for you, there's no telling how many things I might have done that I would regret."
Phoenix didn't blame the professor for the seal. Instead, she was grateful.
After all, she knew how terrifying the Phoenix Force inside her was. Now that she had heard Li Ge's explanation and learned its true nature, she felt even more frightened in hindsight.
"Jean, I need to ask what you want. Do you need me to help you remove your second personality?"
Li Ge's voice came again.
"No, Li Ge, of course not!"
"Can you help me control the Phoenix Force while preserving my second personality?"
Phoenix recalled Li Ge's explanation. Her second personality bore all her pain and darkness.
She could hardly imagine how much pain and helplessness she must have felt!
Besides, her second personality was part of her. How could she bring herself to destroy her with a clear conscience after learning that she had helped bear so much for her?
Although she knew this selfish choice would pose a major challenge for Li Ge, she still couldn't bear to destroy her second personality.
"Of course. As a designer, I won't turn down a client's request unless I can't do it, or don't want to."
Li Ge's confident answer made Phoenix breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hurry up and tell us your plan, kid. Stop dragging your feet."
Wolverine had always had special feelings for Phoenix, and his usual hot temper made him unable to resist urging Li Ge on.
"Don't rush him, Logan! Trust Li Ge to give Jean a solution she'll be happy with."
Storm patted Wolverine's shoulder, telling him not to be impatient.
Although Cyclops found Wolverine's urgency strange, he took it as concern for a teammate.
After glancing at Wolverine, Cyclops turned his attention back to Li Ge.
"I've thought of a very good solution, but I don't know whether you can accept it. Doing this will have very serious consequences."
"Of course, it will definitely solve your problem, won't cause you any harm, and will meet your requirements."
Li Ge ignored them and continued keeping them in suspense.